Health Office Professional

A medical administrative professional at her computer station

Health Office Professional

Technical Diploma

30 Credits | 1 Year

Ashland*, New Richmond*, Rice Lake*, Superior*, Online

*Combination of Online, Your Choice or On Site instruction

Financial Aid-Eligible

Career Cluster: Business Management

This program will be modified for the 2024-2025 academic year pending advisory committee and WTCS approval. Please contact an Admissions Advisor if interested or have questions.

With the Health Office Professional degree, you can enter the high-demand field of healthcare. There are many career opportunities in hospitals, clinics (medical, vision, chiropractic and dental), insurance companies, rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities. Simulated on-the-job training helps you apply what you have learned in the medical office environment. 

Program Overview

The Health Office Professional (HOP) technical diploma combines medical office skills with computer skills to prepare you for employment on the administrative side of healthcare working in physician’s offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and other health organizations.  

Program Outcomes

Health Office Professional graduates will be able to:

  • Perform routine healthcare administrative procedures
  • Demonstrate effective workplace communications
  • Apply technology skills to business and administrative tasks
  • Maintain internal and external relationships
  • Model professionalism

Health Office Professional is one of the fastest growing occupations in the healthcare industry. Today’s in-demand frontline and nonclinical healthcare workers are projected to add more than 2 million job openings this decade. 

A medical textbook

Learn by doing.

The receptionist area of a busy clinic

Flexible scheduling and start dates.

A medical administrative co-workers standing at the front desk

In-demand job. 


Academics

Health Office Professional classes are offered on all four campuses (Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior) and Online. Take classes Online, Your Choice, or On-Site instruction.  

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Health Office Professional technical diploma will also earn a technical diploma in Healthcare Receptionist with the option to continue your education to earn the Medical Billing Specialist technical diploma and the Medical Administrative Professional associate degree. 

Simulation Training

Simulated on-the-job training helps you apply what you have learned in a medical office environment. 

Convenient

You can register and attend classes on all four campuses (Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior) and Online. 


Required Courses

Specific classes that provide training for the Health Office Professional are Medical Terminology, Introduction to Healthcare Documentation, Medical Office Procedures & Customer Service and Medical Office Administration. 

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Health Office Professional Courses

10160143
|
UGRD
| 2 CR
This course develops professional skills and attitudes needed in a medical business environment. Skills developed include an ability to communicate effectively with patients and other medical office staff, manage time effectively, schedule patients, greet patients, use the telephone properly, process mail, apply ergonomics and office safety, and use medical computer software efficiently.
10160140
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Simulates handling patients and employees, applying customer service skills, and the use of computers in a medical/clinical setting. Hands-on experience in scheduling appointments, work in electronic medical records, establishing a fee schedule, and practice management. Utilizes Microsoft Office software, electronic billing software, electronic medical record software, telephone systems, internet, fax and e-mail. PREREQUISITE: 10160143 Medical Office Procedures and Customer Service.
10501101
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Focuses on the component parts of medical terms: prefixes, suffixes and word roots. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.

Health Office Professional is Part of a Career Pathway

As a Health Office Professional student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way!

You can start here and earn a credential.

Technical Diploma
15 Credits / One Semester Full Time; Part Time Options Available
Potential Careers
Patient Services Representative, Medical Scheduler, Medical Information Clerk, Appointment Coordinator, Patient Access
Arrow pointing down

Earn a technical diploma. 

Technical Diploma
30 Credits / One year Full Time; Part Time Options Available
Potential Careers
Medical Office Specialist, Medical Records Specialist, Patient Services Representative, Hospital Admissions Representative, Customer Service Representative, Medical Scheduler, Health Information Clerk
Arrow pointing down

Technical Diploma
27 Credits / 3 - 4 semesters Part Time
Potential Careers
Hospital Medical Biller, Physician’s Office Medical Biller, Laboratory Medical Biller, Patient Account Representative, Revenue Cycle Representative
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You can continue your education to earn an associate degree. 

Associate Degree
60 Credits / Two Years Full Time; Part Time Options Available
Potential Careers
Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Records Specialist, Patient Services Representative, Medical Scheduler, Hospital Admissions Representative, Medical Billing Specialist, Patient Account Representative, Clinic Coder, Health Unit Coordinator (HUC)
Arrow pointing down

You can continue your education to earn your bachelor's degree. 


Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships.

Learn More About Paying for College

Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*

Health Office Professional

30 Credits | 1 year

$4,753


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Northwood Tech Health Office Professional Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn technical diplomas in Healthcare Receptionist and Health Office Professional. Continue your education at Northwood Tech into the Medical Administrative Professional associate degree.

Student studying at a computer

Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

Student studying at a laptop

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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Take the Next Step

Are you ready to experience success? Northwood Tech staff are standing by to support you in reaching your educational and career goals, so do it. Take the leap.